Killer of teenage boy found guilty of absconding from mental health unit

A convicted murderer who went on the run for four months from a mental health unit has been found guilty of being unlawfully at large.

Lerone Boye, 28, of no fixed address, stabbed 17-year-old Kelvin Chibueze at a birthday party in Ilford, back in August 2011.

He was sentenced to 28 years for his murder in prison and was transferred to the John Howard Centre, Hackney, but absconded from the mental health unit on October 23 last year.

When he was found by officers and asked if it was worth it, Boye said: “Best three months of my life."

Escape: CCTV footage shows Boye moments before he fled from the mental health unit
Boye made his escape when a staff member took him from the ward without seeking permission to the reception, alongside another patient who was granted approved unescorted community leave.

They went into an airlock area by the door and Boye appeared to bend down as the other patient signed himself out. But Boye then pushed him to one side and made his escape.

Police launched an investigation and offered a £15,000 reward to anyone who could help find him.

Boye was eventually found on January 21 2014 cowering under a bed at a house in Chigwell, 14 weeks after he went missing from the mental health unit.